Description

Apr 23, as 1,000 students tried to force their way into the Government building where legislators debated the ratification of the U.S. - Japan Security Pact. There were several clashes between students and police but no one was reported injured.

The students were members of the "Zengakuren", a leftist National Federation of Students Self-Government Associations, which sponsored the demonstration. Shouting "Diet is ours" and "Our demonstration is fairly conducted", they had several unsuccessful encounters with police before staging a mass sit-down in protest against ratification of the pact.

Students had insisted on a "quiet demonstration" - originally scheduled for Apr 26 - against the Kishi Government's handling of the U.S.-Japan Security Fact. Conditions of the Pact prohibit Japan from maintaining an army but provides for a "token" defence force.